Lukanisman praises outgoing minister Dr Zaliha for providing effective healthcare, hopes Dzulkelfy will retain White Paper programme

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 — Outgoing Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa is reported to have provided effective health care to the public, as her deputy Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni reportedly said after the government reshuffle was announced.

He reportedly praised the re-appointment of Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad as Health Minister, seeing it as a good step towards strengthening the ministry which he said was currently dealing with several issues,

“I expect him to continue working on the Health White Paper, focus on digitalising the Ministry of Health’s services and improve existing laws that are relevant to the current situation,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

“Throughout the year, Dr Zaliha diligently faced the burden of demand for more efficient health services, was instrumental in introducing the Madani Medical Programme, and presented a white paper and a smoking control bill to Parliament.”

Lukanisman, who is also the MP for Sibuti, said he believes the reorganisation is primarily aimed at harnessing the skills and experience of ministers that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim needs to focus on implementing government policies.

Dr Zaliha was today transferred to head the Ministry of Federal Territories, but Lukanisman retained his position as deputy minister of health.

Dzulkefly – a three-term member of parliament from Kuala Selangor – previously served for almost two years as health minister in the short-lived Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration led by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Previously known for introducing a ban on smoking in restaurants, he also led the country’s initial response to Covid-19 before the change of government.